Overview:
The Banshee Land-Air 'Mech is an experiment prototyped by the New Avalon Tactics Research Think Tank. While there has been much comment about how to overcome the Clans, little has been offered specifically, and so the Think Tank has released documentation and BattleMech designs in their first attempt at exploring new technology, tactics and combined arms. [EDITOR'S NOTE: "Lock 'em in a room and slip a couple of pizzas under the door. They'll work wonders." Morgan Hasek-Davion said that.]
Though Inner Sphere technology cannot equal the Star League's precision manufacturing techniques, the new generation of 'Mechs often possess excellent concepts. The BSE-2X in particular possesses a number of unique performance characteristics. It is imperative that Our Blessed Order acquire one to help seed our own nascent Mk I series.
Capabilities:
Among the Banshee's design improvements is the cockpit module, which incorporates a computer-directed seat system designed to respond to G-stress on the pilot. The cockpit can also pivot 90 degrees, allowing the vehicle to land just about anywhere and freeing it from dependence on support equipment.
A tactical operations officer occupies the rear seat. This position is equipped with state-of-the-art communications systems, remote sensors and tactical computers. Much of it was pioneered by Lieutenant Rachel Specter of the 1st Sommerset Strikers. Powerful computers simultaneously gather information from the Banshee's own sensors, from vehicles and satellites in communication, and even distant jumpships. Sophisticated cryptography algorithims ensure that all transmissions remain indecipherable to the enemy. The computers then synthesize a real-time assessment of the tactical situation. Though similar in many ways to the Draconis Combine's C3 networks, the Strikers have yet to slave their targeting systems directly to the communications module.
Timely information is vital in operations against the Clans. For this reason the Banshee typically takes position near the edge of a combat zone, where the tactical operations officer can coordinate a protective screen of high-powered 'Mechs while the Banshee's pilot fires from maximum range.
The Think Tank originally proposed Sutel Precision Pulse lasers, but these were downgraded and an anti-missile system removed to give the wings a wider range of motion. Another compromise involves the use of vertical fins and additional, less sophisticated avionics in the tail. These latter features easily distinguish its silhouette from other LAMs still in use. The prototype has seen only one change since beginning field trials, when Kuritan specialists installed a maneuvering jet in each foot to assist with hard landings. [These specialists were orphaned by the loss of LexaTech Industries. They are now on permanent loan to the Strikers. --Editor]
Some members of the manufacturing team, still bitter about old wars, complain that the stylized fins and flanges of Kuritan jump jets are much sillier than home-built Lyran jump jets. But the fact is that the Banshee incorporates elements from all across known space and, like the Strikers themselves, is stronger for it.
Battle History:
The 1st Sommerset Strikers were to have a full squadron of six Banshees but now possess only two. Three were lost when a transport, the Merchant class Hypernaut, misjumped. Another was captured by the Jade Falcons in 3051. [It later resurfaced during the Battle of Tukayyid, helping to coordinate Falcon activities there. --Editor]
During the evacuation of the Seventeenth Skye RCT from Barcelona, the Strikers' first Banshee LAM distracted Falcon air cover by striking the far side of the continent, destroying important air defenses from the ground. The Falcons, believing it a prelude to assault, relocated their aerospace fighters to an airfield there. The Banshee then snuck back toward the capital. Approaching within sensor range of the Third Falcon Talon Cluster, the LAM repeatedly broke away and then zoomed to a new point of contact. The Falcon 'Mechs ceased pursuit of the Seventeenth and wheeled about to face these new and seemingly numerous 'Mechs. Striker DropShips swooped up the RCT's survivors and evacuated them to Somerset.
A Banshee LAM was also instrumental in Operation Soundwave over Bone Norman during the Year of Peace. Striker ships entered the system at a pirate point and, it seemed to the Falcons, attacked a distant mining station before fleeing desperately from the pursuing WarShip. In fact, the Strikers had secretly deposited Martinez's battalion of the 11th Avalon Hussars. The battalion smuggled themselves to the dark side of Bone Norman's moon while a Banshee, released days earlier by the Strikers, quietly drifted into orbit around Bone Norman. It coordinated Bone Norman's guerillas in a new wave of attacks and guided Martinez's fragile K1 shuttles through gaps in the garrison's sensors.
Three Banshees fared less well in a raid on Somerset later that year. They easily destroyed the elementals guarding the planet's training academy, and soon rejoined the main body of the Strikers. The Clan commander, unaware that the newly arrived 'Mechs could transform, issued the trio a formal challenge. They dodged his fire and seized him from behind, lifting his 'Mech bodily into the air. They released it several hundred meters up. The Commander ejected, but not before crippling one Banshee and forcing a second to make an emergency landing.
Most Falcon warriors are understandably dismissive of the BSE-2X. Land-Air 'Mechs may have been the pinnacle of Star League BattleMech technology, but OmniMechs have now (both figuratively and literally) arrived, able to accommodate dozens of configurations instead of a mere two-and-a-half. The Nova Cats, in contrast, have made special targets of the Draconis Combine's few unconquered LAM facilities. Their zeal appears to be a source of private amusement for the rival Smoke Jaguars.
Variants:
Damage from Somerset has been repaired with parts from Allied Aerospace in Marik space. They are not a perfect fit, but have so far proven reliable.
Several variants have been proposed. All reduce armor to equip the BSE-2X with true VTOL capability, to double fuel bunkerage, or to add a second bank of tactical computers. [See attached diagram for the proposed "double-double" master network. --Editor]
If the Banshee doesn't begin mass manufacture, the NAIS will use the platform to field test all other kinds of technologies now under development. The LAM would likely become mired in such experiments indefinitely.
Notable 'Mechs and MechWarriors:
Cadet Katiara Kylie
Young, reckless and impatient, Cadet Kylie is a brilliant aerojock and Major Adam Steiner's nightmare. She stowed aboard the Strikers' dropship against orders, and the Major only grudgingly allowed her a spot in the unit because she was the sole air support on their first missions. [Katiara also guest stars in a holovid series based on the exploits of the Strikers and other detached companies. --Editor]
----------------------------------------------- | | Mass: 50 tons
Chassis: NAIS 2nd Gen Type Endo-Prog 45T6Z
Power Plant: Nissan 200
Jet Propulsion System: WAS 150
Cruising Speed, Ground: 43.2 kph
Maximum Speed, Ground: 64.8 kph
Cruising Speed, Air: 900 kph
Overthrust Speed: 1440 kph
Armor Type: Durallex Medium
Armament:
2 Maxell ER Large Lasers
Manufacturer: Wangker Aerospace
Location: Axton
Communications System: Ranker 200 with
Tactical C3 Operations Center
Targeting & Tracking System: Ranker TA 950
Type: BSE-2X Banshee LAM
Tech/Rules: Inner Sphere 3050/see notes
Tonnage: 50
Equipment: Crits Mass
Int. Struct.: Endo Steel 14 2.50
Engine: 200 Nissan Fusion 6 8.50
Walking MP: 4
Running MP: 6
Jumping MP: 4
Cruise MP: ??
Flank MP: ??
Thrust MP: 5
OverThrust: 8
Struct. Int.: ??
Heat Sinks: 10 (20) 6 .00
Gyro: 4 2.00
Cockpit: 5 3.00
Armor Factor: 144 pts 0 9.00
Internal Armor
Structure Value Critical Hit Table
H: 3 8 LSC .SL
CT/r: 16 20/6 EEE GGG GEE Ela
LT/r: 12 16/5 **. ... iii ..a
RT/r: 12 16/5 *** ... iii ..a
LA: 8 14 Xxx X.. iii hhh
RA: 8 14 Xxx X.. iii hhh
LL: 12 20 Xxx Xil
RL: 12 20 Xxx Xil
Weapons and Ammo Loc Crits Mass
-----------------------------------------------
ER Large Laser LA 2 5.00
ER Large Laser RT 2 5.00
C3 Master Computer LT 5 5.00
Extra Crew H 1 .50
ASF 150 Fusion Rocket * * 5.50
Fuel * * 4.00
Avionics a 3 .00
Landing Gear l 3 .00
-----------------------------------------------
TOTALS: 72 50.00
Crits & Tons Left: 6 .00
-----------------------------------------------
Note: The special cockpit design of the Banshee grants the pilot a TN-2 bonus when rolling to avoid blackout (as per the 1st Sommerset Strikers Sourcebook). Gyroscopic stabilization grants the pilot a TN-2 bonus to all control rolls made in space, as long as the gryo is undamaged. "Extra Crew" is a vehicle option from Maximum Tech.
Conversion Equipment: Critical slots marked with an asterisk each act as a combined jump jet, ASF engine and fuel slot. Landing gear and avionic slots are included as a nod to Catalyst's new rules. Values marked as "??" are to be filled by whatever rules edition is available to the play group.
I stitched most of this together in dribs and drabs between 2007 and 2011. A couple days ago I finally decided to fill in the notable battles and polish it up a bit.
Obviously I based this mostly on material from the 1st Sommerset Strikers sourcebook and cartoon. I'm a kid in the '90s and my book has a fightercraft that folds in half and has two propulsion systems. C'mon, what else am I gonna do with it? 
The first few sentences, and a few other details, come from the Pulsar and Pulse Leader designs described in issue 17 of BattleTechnology. The Morgan Hasek-Davion quote comes from the BT CCG's Think Tank card (probably referring to Vic & friends planning the battle of Twycross, but hey, it works here too); the sentence following it paraphrases a statement from page 45 of TR:3050/3050r. The Hypernaut is, of course, a reference to the television series of the same name. I mention Tukayyid because Kael Pershaw's dialogue in the Spectre spotter plane mirrors Rachel Specter's dialogue in the show. The battles include a few details from the Jade Falcon Sourcebook and a light reference to Michael Bays' Transformer movies, but mainly I just tried to make the battles interesting.
I've also attached a light woods map pattern which is designed to discourage hovers, WiGEs and AirMechs from flanking. If you want to extend LOS a bit you can put a hill hex in the center of each triangle. (Please note that my suggestion of this pattern does not in any way carry an imperative to use the pattern completely, exactly, or without variation.) |
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Topic: 50-ton BSE-2X Banshee LAM (for an alternate Jihad) (Read 717 times)